The Muslimah Consultation Group, Inc (MCG) provides women a safe haven to share, talk, listen, assist, network and heal.
FEATURE VOLUME. 6 ISSUE. 4
When We Meet
by Dujanah Descartes
While Taryn Siddiq was greeting friends after Friday prayers in Atlanta Georgia, one woman confided in her some life challenges and a longing for a support group of Muslim women. The distressed woman and Ms. Siddiq, a certified counselor and social worker, both knew other women in the congregation were facing similar issues.
That conversation was the spark that ignited the light of a confidential support growth group for Muslim women known as the Muslimah Consultation Group, Inc (MCG). (www.muslimahconsultationgroup.com) Founded by Ms. Siddiq in August 1999, the non-profit organization’s mission is to provide women a safe haven to share, talk, listen, assist, network and heal. A unique aspect of MCG is that everything shared in “Group”, as it is affectionately called by its members, is confidential. In fact, a confidentiality oath is read at the beginning of every MCG meeting and is presented to each woman before her first participation.
“MCG has been a very private, special, sacred time,” explains Ms. Siddiq. “It seems Allah carves out this time for us to come together to relax and to share our thoughts and feelings about where we are in our lives without having to worry we will hear it elsewhere. It has been a safe place now for 11 years, alhamdullilah! It is a group that supports Muslimahs in their Islamic health and wellness.”
Promoting that wellbeing, Ms. Siddiq insists MCG members make time for themselves; she requests attendees arrange child care and bring only nursing infants to the meetings. Some women have brought their teenage daughters and found the experience helpful in sharing gender specific issues and modeling Islamically appropriate behavior.
For many, MCG is also a place of learning. Women new to the faith who discover the group may attend to increase their knowledge. “We have discussed topics such as preparing for our Ramadan fasting, aromatherapy, entrepreneurship, plural marriage, marriage in general, the Prophet’s wives and living wills to name a few. New Shahadahs have benefited; it is a place to meet other Muslimahs and learn about Islam,” said Ms. Siddiq.
One woman who has gained from the meetings is Malaja Owens. “While going through the many adversities that tried to steal the joy of my reversion, Sister Taryn Siddiq welcomed me into the MCG family with open arms,” she said. “I had the feeling of coming home and MCG became for me a source of solace, confirmation, inspiration and love.”
Coming together regularly for that inspiration, the women meet monthly, usually at the residence of the facilitator, Taryn Siddiq; sometimes at the homes of other members. Meeting in public venues proved to be too impersonal and the cozy setting of a home provides a comfortable space for sharing.
Once a year, MCG takes their meeting to the beautiful Sapelo Island on the Georgia coast for a soothing, long weekend retreat. “We have thoroughly enjoyed this as our complete and ultimate getaway, designed spe
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